Abrahamson challenger emerges

Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Randy R. Koschnick is likely to challenge state Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson in the April election.

Political consultant Darrin Schmitz said Koschnick is laying the groundwork to run against Abrahamson, who has served on the court since August 1976 and is running for a new 10-year term in April 2009.

Koschnick is also an ally of Chief Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge J.M. “Mac” Davis, who named Koschnick his deputy chief judge on Sept. 11.

Koschnick, 48, “is well liked” and has been the chief judge for Jefferson County since 2006, Davis said Thursday.Koschnick, who lives in Ixonia with his wife and two daughters, could not be reached for comment.

Schmitz and others said Koschnick has been calling potential supporters in recent weeks and has pledges from law enforcement leaders to endorse him if he runs.

“He’s as close as you can be without formally announcing,” he said.

Schmitz said the Jefferson County judge would offer a “stark contrast” to Abrahamson because he believes a judge should “be the umpire” of laws passed by the Legislature.

You gotta have somebody to beat somebody. It may seem like it’s early but April 2009 will be here before you know it. I suspect this campaign will make the Gableman-Butler race look like a game of Go Fish.